Changes to Registered Art Therapist (ATR) Requirements
Effective 12:00 AM EST on July 1, 2024, all new Registered Art Therapist (ATR) applicants must be ATR-P in good standing and meet the registration standards.
The Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) will allow a grace period for all ATR applications submitted before July 1, 2024, at 12:00 AM EST. These applications must be completed by June 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST.
Application Requirements:
- Official Academic Transcript
- Verification of Post-Education Experience
- Three References
Incomplete ATR applications after this deadline will automatically convert to Provisional Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P) applications.
Credential Retirement Ending
Effective July 1, 2024, at 12:00 AM EST, the ATCB will no longer offer credential retirement.
Key Updates:
- “Annual Retired” credentials must convert to “Lifetime Retired” or be reinstated by June 30, 2024.
- “Lifetime Retired” credentials can be reinstated no later than June 30, 2025.
- After July 1, 2025, permanently retired credentials will require a new application under current ATCB standards.
Changes to Reinstatement of Inactive Credentials
Effective July 1, 2024, at 12:00 AM EST, inactive credentials will have one year (July 1 – June 30) to be reinstated.
Reinstatement Policy:
- Reinstatement fee: $250
- Failure to reinstate within one year results in permanent inactive status.
- Each credential can be reinstated up to three times.
- All reinstatement applications remain valid for six months.
Appeals Policy
Appeals must be submitted within 30 days of receiving notice of inactive status, credential denial, or certification changes.
Following the expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on May 11, 2023, the final opportunity to appeal pandemic-related credential impacts is March 16, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST.
Appeals will be reviewed at the first quarterly meeting of 2024.
Verifications
The ATCB provides official verification of:
- Art Therapy Credentials Board Examination (ATCB Exam) Scores
- Credential Standing
- Supervision Hours
A $25 fee applies to verification requests. Requests must include the original name used on the application or examination and must be submitted via the MyATCB portal.
ATCB Examination
The Art Therapy Credentials Board Examination (ATCB Exam) Administration Policy provides candidates with:
- A six-month testing window.
- Testing at an approved center or via remote proctoring.
- Up to three testing attempts per calendar year*.
*A 90-day waiting period applies between exam attempts.
Candidates applying for state licensure should use the State Licensure application in the MyATCB portal and provide an authorization-to-test letter from the state board.
The ATCB Exam is required for licensure in Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York.
All exam applications are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Updating Changes to the ATCB
As per the Code of Ethics, Standards, and Conduct (Section 3.2.2), credential holders must notify the ATCB within 60 days of:
- Changes to name, address, or phone number.
- Filing of an indictment, charge, or complaint (excluding traffic offenses).
- Litigation involving allegations of professional negligence or misconduct.
Important: Contact details must be updated in the MyATCB portal. The ATCB is not responsible for credential impacts due to outdated information.
Ethics issues should be reported immediately by completing the Statement of Conduct Compliance Form.